Articles about jbl

Ah, JBL. The name itself resonates with a powerful, legacy-rich reputation in the world of audio. And now, my audio-loving amigos, brace yourselves as the brand is once again set to revolutionize your listening experience. Say hello to the JBL Authentics series. There are three speaker options in this new product line.

Let’s kick things off with the JBL Authentics 300. This portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled beauty offers a built-in 8-hour battery and delivers sound so full-bodied, it’s like being front-row at a concert. Whether you’re out gardening or dancing in the kitchen, you’re enveloped in 360-degree immersive audio. Move over, live gigs; we’ve got a new star in town.

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Headsets are an important part of the online multiplayer gaming experience these days. They allow you to communicate with teammates -- or opponents -- depending on the game. Even for offline single player games, a quality headset can usually provide superior audio compared to many low-quality computer speakers. They can also be used for music and movies, obviously.

Today, JBL kaunches an all-new premium wireless headset. Called "Quantum 350," it is designed for gamers. In fact, JBL brags that it is Discord-certified. Privacy enthusiasts should adore the detachable microphone. Best of all, it is surprisingly affordable, costing less than $100.

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Most people who buy a keyboard for their tablet will opt for something slim and portable that can be used wherever they go. KnewKey’s Rocksete is the total opposite of that. It’s big, solid and heavy, and designed to pretty much stay in the one place.

It’s also an amazing piece of kit, blending a quality mechanical keyboard (with LED dynamic backlighting), and JBL speakers. You can use it with a tablet, phone, and even a laptop thanks to the add-on holder. While you can take it out in public should you choose to, I wouldn't advise it if you want to get any work done. As an experiment, I set it up in my local coffee shop and it quickly drew an inquisitive crowd, and that was without any music playing.

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When Apple removed the 3.5mm audio jack from the iPhone, some people freaked out. Look, I understand that change can be scary, but an analog port has no place on modern smartphones. For those that struggled to cope, Apple even included a free dongle, allowing these Luddites to take their time transitioning to the new standard -- Bluetooth.  Of course, despite the negative feedback Apple received, many Android manufacturers followed suit and removed the headphone jack too. The same thing is happening with the iPhone X's notch, but I digress.

Regardless of whether your smartphone does or doesn't have a headphone port, you should still invest in some quality Bluetooth earbuds. Not only are they more convenient and fashionable, but they can be better for active folks too, as there is no annoying cord going into your phone which can get tangled. Today, JBL unveils a pair of new wireless earbuds that focus on an active lifestyle. The "Reflect Mini 2" and "Reflect Contour 2," as they are called, are very similar, but the latter has a handy ear-hook to prevent slippage. Best of all, they are both priced under $100, making them very affordable.

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Nowadays, many manufacturers seem to think all speakers should contain a virtual assistant. Yeah, having Siri, Cortana, Google, or Alexa can be convenient, but not everyone wants one of them integrated into their speakers. From a privacy perspective, these always-listening assistants can be a nightmare. Not to mention, these virtual "beings" can complicate something that should be very straightforward and relaxing -- listening to music. The largely panned (non-portable) $350 HomePod, for instance, doesn't currently support Bluetooth and only works with Apple Music.

That's one of the reasons I was intrigued by the JBL Boombox -- no gosh darn integrated assistant or lock-in. As the name implies, it is a throwback to boomboxes of yesteryear, but it is on a much higher level. Rather than play cassettes, CD, or FM radio, it connects with Bluetooth so you can play tunes from your smartphone, tablet, or other device. Because it has a handle, you can walk down the street while blasting your favorite music or just easily transport it between locations. Be warned -- it is quite heavy.

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